College Corps Application

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Section I – College Corps Fellowship Overview

Thank you for your interest in becoming a College Corps Fellow! We look forward to learning about you. Please note that there are specific eligibility criteria to become a #CaliforniansForAll College Corps fellow at Rio Hondo College and a limited number of positions available. Not every candidate will move forward to the next step in the application process. After submitting this application, in order to continue in the application process, selected candidates must attend an information session and participate in an interview.

Should you need any assistance with this application or have additional questions about the program please email us at [email protected], or call us at (562) 463-7036. In addition, feel free to follow our Instagram page @rhccollegecorps, to get a look at the various activities we participate in.

What We’re Looking For

Passion for working in partnership with communities to make positive change;
Flexibility to work in different areas and adapt to changing circumstances;
Growth mindset and eagerness to try new things;
Interest in connecting with and learning from other students and partners across the state;
Willingness to be an ambassador for the Fellowship on campus and beyond.
Ability to commit to serving 450 hours over the course of the entire academic year – averaging 10-15 hours per week.

When You Would Serve

August 2025 – May 2026

What You Would Do

Fellows will work with K-12 schools, food banks / pantries, or climate action organizations to build healthier and more equitable communities across California. They will do this in a variety of ways:

Tutoring
Mentoring
Address food insecurity

What You Would Gain: Benefits

A living allowance paid monthly throughout service term, plus an Education Award paid upon completion of 450 service hours. Total financial benefit up to $10,000.
Real-world job experience and skills to add to your resume
Access to training, networking, and professional development opportunities
Connections with Fellows across the state via a virtual community platform and in-person regional events
A sense of pride and accomplishment in working toward a common purpose alongside young leaders from across the state

Where You Would Serve

College Corps at Rio Hondo College offers service positions with local nonprofits and municipal agencies within a reasonable distance from campus.

Section II – Student Eligibility & Certification

Please review the following statements to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria to become a College Corps Fellow. You will be asked to sign, certifying that you meet the eligibility criteria for Parts A – C.

If you have questions about whether you meet all criteria, please contact, Eliana Ibarra at [email protected] or (562) 463-7036 who can help determine if you are indeed eligible. There will be an eligibility review prior to students advancing to the next steps of the application process.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria

Part A. To participate, students must meet the following minimum eligibility criteria:

Have a high school diploma or its equivalent (i.e., GED) by the beginning of the 2025-2026 academic year
Enrolled full-time
Currently be in good academic standing and remain so throughout the academic year (no minimum GPA required)
Commit to actively participate in the program and to maintain full-time enrollment status for the entire academic year August 2025 – May 2026
Not planning to participate in a semester off-campus (Study Abroad) during the upcoming academic year
Commit to serving 450 hours over the course of the entire academic year – averaging 10-15 hours per week

Part A Certification.(Required)

I Agree

I have read the application instructions and I certify that I am eligible to serve as a College Corps Service Member for the 2025-2026 term.

Part B. To successfully complete your College Corps Fellowship, students must:

Complete a National Service Criminal History Check & Live Scan, as part of the enrollment process
AB-540 students will not need to complete the National Service Criminal History Check & Live Scan unless their community host partner requires it
Complete 450 hours of service by the end of May 2026. To reach this goal, students in the College Corps Program must commit to:

Consistently serve an average of 15 hours per week throughout the academic year
Start the program on time

Participate fully in required pre-service orientation, trainings, and learning sessions

Part B Certification.(Required)

I Agree

I certify that I am willing and able to meet these basic requirements in order to complete the College Corps Program. Furthermore, If I am selected as a finalist for a College Corps Fellowship, I give Rio Hondo College permission to conduct criminal history background checks in accordance with the Corporation for National and Community Service guidelines. AB-540 students will not need to complete the National Service Criminal History Check & Live Scan unless their community host partner requires it.

Part C. Students selected to join the Fellowship should meet at least (1) of the following criteria:

Needs to work at least part time and/or borrow student loans to meet their educational costs
Qualifies for a Federal Pell Grant
Qualifies for a State Cal Grant or Middle Class Scholarship
Is AB-540 Eligible

Must have submitted, or plans to submit a California Dream Act Application (CADAA) for 2025-2026 academic year prior to that application deadline
Must be an active recipient of a Cal Grant B Award for the 2025-2026 academic year OR be an active recipient of a Cal Grant A Award who is also Cal Grant B eligible, by start of the program

Part C Certification.(Required)

I Agree

I have reviewed the eligibility criteria and certify that I meet the requirements for at least one of the criteria listed above.

Are you at least 18 years of age?(Required)

Yes

Thank you for your interest, unfortunately you must be 18 years or older to participate in this program.

Are you currently in good academic standing?(Required)

Yes

Do you plan to be a full-time student for the entire 25-26 academic year?(Required)

Yes

Personal Information & Educational Background

Full Legal Name(Required)

First Middle Last Suffix

Student ID #(Required)

Cell Phone(Required)

Alternate Phone

School Email

Personal Email(Required)

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Date of Birth(Required)

Month

Day

Year

Emergency Contact Information

Name(Required)

First Last

Relationship to Contact(Required)

Phone(Required)

General Information

Do you speak any additional languages?(Required)

Yes

If yes, please indicate the language(s)(Required)

If yes, please indicate the language and your level of proficiency. Beginner, Emerging, Moderate, Advanced, Native(Required)

Beginner – I know a few words and greetings here and there.

Emerging – I’m comfortable ordering from a restaurant in another language.

Intermediate – I’m comfortable having a conversation with a stranger in another language.

Advanced – I’m comfortable with teaching a full lesson in another language.

Native – I’ve spoken the language from early childhood and am comfortable at all levels.

Current GPA(Required)

What is your major?(Required)

Are you a first-generation college student, meaning your parents, guardians, or grandparents did not attend college?(Required)

Yes

Shirt Size(Required)

What are your dietary needs or preferences? (ie vegetarian, gluten-free)

Please rank each of the service opportunities based on your interest, with the top choice being at the top and least choice at the bottom.

Drag n’ Drop

Food Insecurity
Climate Action
K-12 Education

If you selected K-12 as one of your interested focus areas, do you agree to have a background check and TB test completed before beginning service at your site?(Required)

(Note: If required by the service site, the background check and TB test requirements would also apply to AB-540 eligible students)

Yes

Have you had prior experience with any of the following?

Tutoring/mentoring

Public communication

Outreach or marketing

Field orientation/surveying or water testing

Organic farming or gardening

Data collection, evaluation, and assessment

Development of outreach and education materials

Facilitating/leading small groups and discussions

Event planning and organizing

Environmental research or planning

Will you own or have access to a vehicle or other form of reliable transportation during the 2025-2026 academic year?(Required)

Yes

What is your form of transportation?(Required)

I have my own vehicle

I take public transit

I get a ride

I bike or walk

How did you hear about College Corps?(Required)

On-Campus Advertising

Campus Website

Campus Social Media

Campus Event

TV/Radio

Non-Campus Social Media

Parent/Family

Friend/Fellow

Professor/Academic Advisor/Mentor

Other

What will your class year be in the 2025-2026 academic year?(Required)

First

Second

Third

Fourth

Other

What is the month and year you expect to graduate?(Required)

Two digit month and four digit year

Are you planning to transfer to a 4-year institution?(Required)

Yes

If yes, please list your preferred 4-year institution.(Required)

Have you completed the 2025-2026 FASFA or California Dream Act application?(Required)

Yes

If NO, please visit the Student Success Center (LR 101) to complete the application.

Short Answer Questions (under 250 words per question)

( For assistance with this we highly encourage visiting the Writing Center in the Learning Resource Center, LR-125)

Please describe your previous community service and engagement experiences, detailing the organizations you volunteered with, the frequency and duration of your service, and the motivations behind your involvement.(Required)

What are the key areas that ignite your passion, and what drives this dedication? Please elaborate on any past involvement, studies, or service you have done related to your passion.(Required)

By signing below, I certify that:

I am eligible to serve as a College Corps Service Member for the 2025-2026 term.
I am willing and able to meet these basic requirements in order to complete the College Corps Program. Furthermore, If I am selected as a finalist for a College Corps Fellowship, I give Rio Hondo College permission to conduct criminal history background checks in accordance with the Corporation for National and Community Service guidelines. (AB-540 students will not need to complete the National Service Criminal History Check & Live Scan unless their community host partner requires it.)
the information provided in this application is accurate. I understand that the withholding of any information sought by this application, or the giving of false information on this application, will result in a refusal of selection, or, if discovered after I am selected, in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Signature(Required)

Date(Required)

College Corps Application

Section I – College Corps Fellowship Overview

What We’re Looking For

When You Would Serve

What You Would Do

What You Would Gain: Benefits

Where You Would Serve

Section II – Student Eligibility & Certification

Minimum Eligibility Criteria

Personal Information & Educational Background

Emergency Contact Information

General Information

Short Answer Questions (under 250 words per question)

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